Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-09-05

Chicago believing that Nebster's removal
was unJustItabie, and that the aim and pur-
pose of evil service legislation had in this case
been thwarted, brought it TO the attention of
President Cleveland, who ordered the inves-
legation. Commissioners Etgertou and Ly-
man conducted the Investigation at Chicago.
and not agreeing as to a verdict either for or
against Collector Seeberger. afterwsrl pre-
pared separate and antagonistic reports
Commissioner Edgerton in his report de-
clared that ne was opposed TO the inveStiga-
ton from the start, because the charges which
had been made were not of that substantial
and definite character which could give to
the commission any legal right to act upon
the complaint OF impose upon it any duty of
investigation under the civil service act and
rules; and insisted that, with Collector See
berger's denial (which the commission had iu
hand) that the request for Web>ter's reSlgna-
lion was prompted by political reasons, there
was nothing left for sthe commission to do
He also insisted that II was never a violation
Of the civil service law to turn man out of
office, and that TO question or deny the right
Of removal without assigning reasons is VIZ
finally saying to the appointing power; Il
iisplace me, but you shall not exercise 1t,
only IN such manner as think proper to pre-
scribe
Commissioner Lyman, in bis statement of
The case. reached the conclusion that Web
ster's separation from the service was forced
practically disinisSal-and that the real
reasons therefore were not disclosed that
Webster, us a faithful aud efficient clerk and
honorablv discharged wounded union soldier,
was not given the benefit of the law, which
favors the retention of such persons in office
Commissioners Oberly and Lyman in the
opinion OF the commission, critcise the 'evi-
lent attempt of Commissioner Edgerton to
Justify Collector Seeberger in his refusal to
permit the reasons he had for demanding
WebSter'S removal ito escape from his own
mind and keeping, and the position taken by
Commissioner Edgerton that requiring the
reasons for dismissal would result IN the re-
striction of the power of removal Is pro-
nOunced untenable The practice now in
vogue IN the treasury department and the
Chicago postoftice of giving reasons Tor re-
moyals, is cited III opposition to this view.
They maintain that there is no reason why
reasons should not he given for removals, as
the appointing officer neither owns the office
occupied himself nor the offices occupied by
the persons under his supervision He is
not they say, the employer of his subor-
Inmates. He is not master. He is servant
a servant of the people, and certainly nogood
reason can be given why he, in serving the
people, should be permitted to hold IN his own
mind and keep his reasons for dong or re-
uslng to do any act in the performance OF
non performance of which the people have an
interest. His sHperiors III office, who are re-
sponsible for his official conduct. have right
to be informed, IN an Off ial way
why he does any official act
He can no longer appoint persons to
places in the classified civil service for his
own purposes, OF for tn purpose of paying
money out of the treasury for work done or
to be done IN the interest of his party
friends Acting under the civil service law
and rules he says, in effect, wherever he now
makes an appointment from a eertliication of
sligibles male 10 him by the commission:
Il appoint this person because his fitness has
been tested, and he has been found to he
qualified for The public service Why should
he not also I've required to say, whenever he
iismisses peTsoB."I dismiss this person be-
Gauss be Is inefficient or for some other
reason. good or hads Aud an appointing
oiiicef WHO eau h'' give e"oh reason iot
every dismissal hi''''T oS hihi Dug" himself
to b. dismissed Appointing officers, as we'll
as other public officers, should, IN the dis
charge of every Official duty, be required to
act upon the wise political maxim that pub
lie Office Is public trust Reasons for dis
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tain tnat oene1t TO the service results IRON